On trace zero symplectic matrices (Q6944095)

From [the first author et al., Linear Algebra Appl. 517, 199--206 (2017; Zbl 1355.15010)], it is known that every \(2n\times 2n\) real or complex matrix is a sum of three symplectic matrices and three is, in general, best possible. In this paper, the authors find an extension of this theorem. They prove that every complex \(2n\times 2n\) matrix \(A\) with trace \(0\) is a sum of three complex symplectic matrices of trace \(0\); and for \(n=1\) this can be reduced to two.\N\NOn the other hand, they only show that a real \(2n\times 2n\) matrix with trace \(0\) is a sum of some finite number of real symplectic matrices with trace \(0\); and when \(n=1\) and \(A\neq 0\) then \(A\) is a sum of two real symplectic matrices with trace \(0\) if and only if \(\det A\geq 4\) or \(\det A<\) \(0\).